Animal shelter



. Nov. 8, 1932. M. H. STEESE ANIMAL SHELTER Filed Jan. 24.1930

INVENTOR Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES MAUD H. STEESE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

, ANIMAL SHELTER Application filed January 24, 1930. Serial No.

My invention relates to improvements in animal shelters and is particularly directed to a portable shelter for domestic animals.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of two communicating compartments, one a hood portion wherein the animal may lie or sleep in open air and the other a collapsed portion wherein the animal can burrow for warmth if desired.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of this character which can be collapsed for transportation and wherein the parts can be readily removed for cleaning.

Further objects of my invention will be manifest from the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my device;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the device in extended position; and

Fig. at is a detailed perspective View of the means of fastening the supporting stays to the floor board.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 1 designates a floor board or support which may be of wood or any other suitable material and 2 designates a cover of wool, flannel or other suitable fabric. This cover is in the form of a hood or canopy 3 the rear end of which is in the form of a separate piece 3 stitched to the cover providing a closed end. This construction will permit of a greater fullness of the rearward portion of the cover and allow the same to lie upon the cushion as will be hereinafter explained. This cover is provided at its forward or open end with a pocket 4 formed adjacent the edge thereof by means of stitching and adapted to receive a flexible metal stay 5 which is removably se cured therein. The ends of this stay are provided with holes to receive thumb screws 6 for securing the same to the fioor board as clearly shown in Fig. 4:. The ends, therefore, are free of any obstruction whereby the stays can be readily inserted into the pocket and rei moved.

At a predetermined distance from the pocket 4 a similar pocket 7 is also provided for receiving a corresponding flexible metal stay 8 which is likewise secured to the floorboard I by means of a thumb screw 9. These two stays support the forward end of the cover erect in the form of a hood. In order to retain the stays 5 and 8 separated, I provide additional longitudinal stays 10, 11 and 12 similarly secured to the cover in pockets 13, 14 and 15, respectively. These pockets are provided with snap fasteners 16 which serve as closures for retaining the stays therein.

The rearward portion of the cover including the rear closed wall 3 is unsupported and collapsible and may be retained in collapsed condition by means of the snap fastener 17 whereby a collapsed compartment is provided rearward of the supporting stay 8 in communication with the supported or canopy compartment forward of the stay 8.

The floor board 1 is provided with a plural ity of snap fasteners 18 along three of its sides and the cover 2 is provided with corresponding snap fasteners 19 cooperating with the fastener 18 to removably secure the cover in position on the floor board. A pillow or cushion 20 may be placed on the floor board to pros vide a bed for the animal. This pillow it will be noted occupies the entire surface of the board whereby a common bed for the compa-rtments is provided.

Adjacent the ends of the stays 5 and 8 the floor board is provided with plates 21 which are set into a recess in the floor board and secured in place by means of screws 22. This construction en ables the cover to be held close to the floor board as illustrated.

The floor board may be provided at its forward end with a handle 23 for convenience in carrying the device from place to place.

It will be noted that in the structure which I have illustrated and described, a hood portion is provided wherein the animal can lie during temperate weather and the collapsed compartment communicating with the hood compartment wherein the animal can burrow and be covered by the blanket material or cover 3, as desired.

It will also be noted from the foregoing that when it is desired to remove the cover for cleaning or for storage that it is merely necessary to release the snap fasteners and the thumb screws 6 and 9 and withdraw the stays 5, 8, 13, lt and 15.

While I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited to the precise arrangement of the parts inasmuch as Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and purview of my invention.

What I claim is 1. An animal shelter comprising a bottom member, a flexible cover therefor, securing means on said bottom member and on said cover cooperating with each other to removably secure the cover to the bottom member, a plurality of flexible stays removably secured in said cover to retain a portion thereof in erect position with respect to the bottom member to provide a hood or canopy effect, the remainder of the cover being free to collapse with respect to the bottom memher.

2. An animal shelter comprising a board floor, a cover of textile material removably secured thereto along the sides and one end of said floor to provide a shelter open at one end and closed along the sides and at the opposite end, and stiffening means adjacent the open end for retaining that portion of the cover in erect position to provide a hooded compartment, the remainder of the cover being allowed to collapse to provide a covering for the animal.

3. An animal shelter comprising a floor board, a cover of textile material removably secured to said floor board, a plurality of removable flexible stays adapted to support a portion of said cover, said cover and floor aboard being common to and forming two communicating compartments in one of which compartments the cover is supported to form an open ended hood and in the other the cover is unsupported and collapsed to form a bed cover beneath which an animal may burrow.

This specification signed this 23rd day of January, 1930.

MAUD H. STEESE. 

